NT Govt urged to set up housing body to address crisis
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The Opposition says the Territory Government is not giving the issue a high enough priority. (ABC News: Cate Grant)
Northern Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills says the Territory Government is dragging its feet with the planning of two new suburbs to counter Darwin's housing shortage.
Mr Mills says the Government needs to set up a land and housing body to clear the way for the construction of Bellamack in Palmerston and Weddell, on the outskirts of Darwin.
He says the Territory Government is not giving the issue a high enough priority.
"This Government has lost the planning plot, so therefore it's going to be difficult to fix it immediately," he said.
"But you have to get on with the forward planning, that's why I'm talking about a Territory Land and Housing Corporation to clear those roadblocks as far as Bellamack's concerned and get that on the road immediately.
"Weddell - get that going - so people can see there's hope on the horizon."
However NT Planning Minister Delia Lawrie says the Territory Government has released over 1,000 units of land in the past 18 months but it will take time to trickle through to the housing market.
Ms Lawrie says the Government wants to develop a housing corridor out to Palmerston and is buying land back from the Commonwealth to do that.
Ms Lawrie also argued that the Territory Government's plan would provide suitable housing for nurses to try and quell the shortage at Darwin Hospital.
"We believe you [should] in-fill along the Berrimah corridor before you go to a satellite city," she said.
"Nurses won't want to be 80 kilometres out of Darwin, they will be wanting to have access to the hospital and proximity to the hospital.
"That's why we're continuing with Berrimah farm and obviously we're negotiating with the Commonwealth over buying 11 Mile."
